State Police Investigative Unit

Members of the Massachusetts State Police are assigned to the State Racing Commission to protect the lives and safety of the public, property and the animals to be raced at all live racing meetings; and to perform any such other duties which may be required by the Commission in order to maintain fair and honest pari-mutuel racing. M.G.L. c. 128A, § 8. The unit oversees all activities at all racetracks during live meets as well as dark days when only simulcasting occurs. It maintains close ties with each security department at each track, as well as local police where the track in located. The unit has broad discretionary powers over all individuals, licensees and patrons who frequent each track. It can search and inspect all secured areas of the track without a warrant.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS

The State Police conducts background checks, which include, but not limited to, Criminal Offender Records Information (CORI), Missing and Wanted Checks and Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI), of all association owners and investors and all applicants for occupational licenses, to wit: apprentice jockey, assistant trainer, blacksmith, driver, exercise rider, groom, hot walker, jockey, owner, pari-mutuel clerk, racing official, trainer, vender and veterinarian. These background checks are done to protect the lives and safety of the public, property and animals, and to maintain fair and honest pari-mutuel wagering.

STABLE INSPECTIONS

The State Police conduct inspections of the stables that focus on the detection of safety violations, the presence of unlicensed persons in restricted areas and the possession of illegal medications, drugs and syringes, which aid in the preserving the integrity of racing. The inspections are conducted at the racetracks and private sites off the racetracks where racing horses are stabled. These inspections are both announced and unannounced. UNIFORMED STATE POLICE DETAILS

The State Police Investigative Unit oversees and assists the uniformed State Police detail in the test area of the horse tracks. These details are responsible for witnessing the collection of samples, ensuring the continuity of evidence for samples, and transporting samples collected in the testing area to the Racing Commission Laboratory. State Police training ensures the integrity of samples and provides expert testimony at administrative and court proceedings. Detail officers also patrol the jockey's room and paddock areas at Suffolk Downs. Any positive drug test is forwarded to the State Police Unit for further investigation and prosecution before the Steward and Judges.

VIOLATIONS OF RULES OF RACING

The State Police Investigative Unit conducted investigations pertaining to violations of the rules of racing. These violations would include persons attempting to influence the outcome of a race by various means which would include the following schemes. These schemes discovered by the State Police Investigative Unit includes the illegal use of performance enhancing drugs, conspiratorial behavior by drivers, jockeys, trainers, owners, and others outside the racetrack community. Pari-mutual schemes including fraudulent tickets, larceny of tickets, tax fraud, and odds manipulation. As a result of these investigations hearings are frequently held before the Board of Stewards and the Massachusetts Racing Commission. These hearings involve violations that are deemed to be detrimental to the orderly conduct of racing such as unruly behavior, assaults, animal abuse, substance abuse, hidden ownership, possession of contraband.

SPECIAL/CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS

The State Police Unit conducts special investigations that may involve other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and units within the State Police concerning any other illegal activity that may occur at the race track, including, but not limited to, suspicious betting activities, money laundering, counterfeit money, bookmaking, tax violations, illegal sale of controlled substances, larceny crimes and crimes against the person. The Unit also works with other racing commissions throughout the country to conduct investigations that may be multi jurisdictional.